Monday, May 7

You Can Make a Lot of Salsa with a Case of Mangoes

If you’re familiar with my blog, then you know I love farmers’ markets. A week without a trip to the farmers' market is like a week without the sun: it makes me grumpy. I can’t remember the last time I bought produce in a regular grocery store. Sure, I go to the supermarket for eggs, milk, and cereal, but fruits and vegetables come from the farmers. So, what I did other day, shocked me. I tell myself it a was just a transgression.

I was at Costco stocking up on bottled water, protein powder, and toilet paper (why two people need 36 rolls of Northern toilet tissue, I’ll never know). On my way to the protein powder, I passed pineapples, tall, fragrant, ripe pineapples each topped with a crown fit for a king. They had no brown spots, no fuzzy fur on the bottoms—they were perfect. Better yet, they were only $2.99 each. I couldn’t believe it! I put two in my carriage and buried them under the toilet paper.

Not 20 feet later on my way to the water, I passed a mountain of mangoes, whose green and yellow skins were taut and unblemished. Having just paid $1.75 each for some (which weren’t even good), I stopped to check the price -- $8 for a whole case! I debated whether or not to buy them. What would we do with a whole case of mangoes? Would they be sweet? What if they all ripened at the same time? Then I heard my father’s voice in my head saying, “Buy them! They won’t go to waste."“But Dad, it’s only the two of us.” “Just buy them!” the voice echoed. After scanning left and right, I picked up a case and placed it in the carriage. What did I think? That the Farm Bureau was watching me on the surveillance camera? Feeling guilty, I wondered if the toilet paper could cover these too.

When Jeff came home from work that night, he saw the behemoth bowl of mangoes and pineapples on the counter and asked, "Costco?" "Costco," I replied.

That night we enjoyed a pineapple-mango salsa on swordfish for Jeff and tofu for me. Fruit salsas are a staple in our house because they're light, healthy, and versatile. This salsa is sweet, spicy, and tangy and tastes even better when allowed to rest at room temperature before serving. Also, the rich golden yellow of both fruits seemed just right to submit to Barbara's A Taste of Yellow event at the famed Winos and Foodies. In addition to raising awareness of cancer, Barbara's event has been approved by the Lance Armstrong Foundation as an official LIVESTRONG Day Event.

For the salsa, simply place all ingredients in a bowl; allow to rest for at least 45 min- 1 hr. so the flavors will mingle.

Preheat the broiler. Drizzle the olive oil on both sides of the swordfish, and season with salt and pepper. Broil for 4-5 minutes, flip over steaks, and broil another 4-5 minutes, or until opaque. Alternatively, you can grill the swordfish or pan fry on the stovetop. Makes 2 servings.

49 comments:

Great entry for LiveStrong...I have to be honest this weekend I went to the "street" market near our apartment, and I bought and ate 3 mangoes ALL BY MYSELF. *blush* They were so good! If I was near I'd help you empty out that case!

This recipe is perfect for the warmer days!Wow, your fruits are a LOT cheaper than here in Switzerland. I could never afford to buy a whole case of mangoes (~ $2.80-$3 for one single fruit), unless it would be for $8!!!

Oooh, I am so so jealous! It's been raining here almost non-stop for the past week, the days are shot and cold and the mango season is long, long gone! With the prices of winter mangoes, I can't WAIT till summer brings this fruit back so I can try this salsa!

Isn't it true that our parents teach us many survival skills, and "not passing up a bargain" is usually at the top of the list?! I have little experience with mangoes, but that salsa has me yearning for summer!

And here I figured that parents speaking out to you from the great beyond was just something us crazy folk deal with more than the normal ones out there! ("Yes Mom, I hear you!")

I make a terrific mango-black bean salsa that even my 13 yo will eat. I tell you , if I ever come across a case of mangoes for $8 I might be inclined to buy one and hunker down in a corner of my garage eating them until I am a sticky mess, fully satiated and dim-brained with delight.

Beautiful entry! I love how you paired pineapple and mango with fish. Yum!

Mangoes are one of my favorite fruits. A few years ago I went to SE China and there were huge mangoes the size of a football. I sat on the beach and ate one all by myself. It was so good! I can't wait for the Indian mangoes.

We're on the same mango wave length. I made a mango salsa for a BBQ however without the pineapple. Definitely something to try next time. PS. Regarding the toilet paper - it's one of my greatest fears - being in a house where the toilet paper has run out!!! I always go for the big pack!!

Oh Costco is sometimes good for you...even if the family consists of just two people ;)I bought the very same case of mangoes at Costco...and made a looooot of smoothies :DAs for the pine-apples, they are always priced at 2.99....so its a steal deal, one I can hardly pass up

Great post and fabulous recipe! I am laughing aloud because it seems to be Mango week in the blogoshere. Like many, I just bought a case at the Farmer's Market - 12 for $4.50. I am going to look like a mango by the end of the week since it's just me....yikes!

I had to laugh at your Costco experience! I often go to warehouse stores intending just to buy some cat litter and maybe some batteries or something, and then find myself staring at the produce. When I buy some, they never turn out to be that great, but it sounds like you got some fantastic use out of your mangos! I recently had a case of mangos and before I could make anything special with them, I gobbled them all up. My husband snatched two away from me to make some experimental pickles, luckily. =)

what a great entry! And your post never fails to make me chuckle :DLast time I bought a lot of mangoes and pineapples too (maybe I know your dad from somewhere :) :) I freeze some salsa I made, haven't tried them yet to see if they're still good.

You can NEVER, EVER have too many mangos or pineapples. Never. If you can't eat them all, you could rub them into your skin or something! The swordfish looks so moist, by the way. And that salsa is the stuff of dreams. Your dad would be so proud!

hm..the only thing i get from Costo is toilet tissues, paper towels, beef, and ..vitamins, gee..think I should cancel my membership..I saw swordfish at Albertson y'day and was wondering what to do w/it, I did not get any, this might just be it :)

I love fruit salsas, and have made them with mangoes in the past. I've looked at those cases of mangoes at Costco, but I don't think my cat would help me out! Yes, even for those of us who love farmers markets, Costco has it's place.

I remember the first time I tried seafood with pineapple/mango salsa. I thought it might be weird but I was hooked from the start. I have a recipe for coconut salmon with pineapple salsa that I, who don't like salmon much, still love.

Fabulous title to the post, and I agree that mago ice cream should be on your list of to-do's. That, or mango and Thai sticky rice. Hell, I would probably just eat the whole case straight, but then again, I am a mango fanatic like that!